Air inlet for internal combustion engines



March 30, 1937. 'M DA H 2,075,272

AIR INLET FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed April 21, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l J7 i Q11: 12::

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ATTORNEYS March 30, 19557. M, DACH v 2,075,272

AIR INLET FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed April 21, 1934 2 Sheets$heet 2 INVENTOR Patented Mar. ,30, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'AIR. INLET FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES This invention relates to an internal combustion engine and is particularly useful when such engines are used for driving motor vehicles.

By this invention the danger of black or unconsumed exhaust gases escaping from the engine when the vehicle is to be-decelerated is greatly decreased, or entirely evoided automatically, without necessitating any conscious effort on the part of the driver for that purpose, a considerable economy in the consumption of gasolene and oil is effected, the dilution of crank-case oil with gasolene is decreased, and when the gasolene has been shut ofl from said engines they can be permitted to run for a considerable period of time without acting as a brake to a great extent.

In carrying out this invention a tubular twoway air inlet is provided for the inlet or suction manifold of the engine and three valves are provided in this inlet, two of these valves being in parallel and in series with the other one. In a modification the three valves may be in series.

One ofthe valves is located in the inlet nearer the suction manifold than the others and is controlled'by the speed of the engine so as to open 5 when the engine speed becomes sumciently high. Adjustments may be provided so that this valve will remain closed so long as the speed of the engine is below a predetermined minimum.

Another valve is located in the air inlet and is closed while the engine is idling or is in normal operation at either high or low speed, but provision may, however, be made for opening this valve automatically at high speeds to cause air or steam vapors to enter the intake manifold. This valve will ordinarily be opened by the operator applying the foot-brake. A

A third valve is located in a branch of the air inlet and is so connected that it is kept closed while the throttle for admitting gas to the engine I is open, or while the operator of an automobile which is driven by the internal combustion engine pushes the gas pedal or steps on'the accelerator. This third valve opens when admission of fuel to the engine ceases.

So long as the first valve is closed, air from the atmosphere is prevented from reaching the inlet manifold through the air inlet above mentioned, but air freely enters this manifold when the firstmentioned valve and either one or both of the other valves are open. When air enters the suction manifold the vacuum is broken and the mixture from the regular air inlet and the carburetor is caused to cease flowing into the inlet manifold during the period when the two valves are open.

Also, when the gas is shut off at high speeds air is permitted to pass through the air inlet, thus breaking the vacuum and preventing the engine from acting too strongly as a brake.

Means may also be provided by which the ignition is automatically cut out when not needed 5 during the time no mixture of air and gas is entering the inlet manifold.

The invention will be understood from the description in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side view of an in- 10 temalcombustion engine with the device in place; Fig. 2 is a section on an enlarged scale through the device; Fig. 3 is a similar view of a modification; Figs. 4 and 5 are similar views of other modifications; and Figs. 6 and 7 are edge 15 and side views showing a wind operated valve.

In the drawings reference character I indicates the block or casing of an internal combustion engine that is provided with an inlet manifold 2 with a connection 8 from a carburetor (not 20 shown), and an outlet manifold 4.

In carrying out this invention a hole or opening is provided in the inlet manifold 2 and a twoway inlet pipe or conduit 5 is attached by its flange 6 to the suction manifold over the opening, 25 or a cylindrical or other shaped two-way inlet is provided from the outside air into the inside of the suction manifold in any other convenient way.

A valve 1, which may be a butter-fly type valve, for example, is installed in the inlet 5 and 30 is attached to a shaft 8 that is iournalled in airtight bearings in opposite sides of the inlet pipe 5 with one or both ends of this shaft projecting short distances outside of the pipe or inlet. An arm 9 is attached to a projecting end of the 35 shaft 8 outside of the inlet 5 and a link or other connection l0 extends from the arm 9 to a footbrake pedal ll of the automobile so that the valve 1 is opened when the foot-brake pedal II is operated. I 0 Another valve II, which maybe either like the valve 1 or of a diflerent type, is located in the inlet 5 in series with the valve 1. The valve l2 is attached to the shaft l3, which extends through the inlet 5 and is Journalled in air-tight 45 bearings in opposite sides of the walls thereof, with one or both ends extending short distances beyond the outside of these walls. An arm I4 is attached to one end of the shaft ll outside ofthe inlet 5 and a link or connection l5 extends from 5 this arm to a governor on the engine shaft (not shown). This governor may be any of the well known sorts to which the link I! or other valve operating mechanismmay be connected so as to open this valve in accordance with the speed of the engine. The governor can be'adjusted to operate the link I or other valve operating mechanism at or beyond any desired predetermined speed to open the valve I2. Such governors are 5 not a part of this invention and therefore not illustrated.

The inlet 5 is provided with an open-ended branch I6 on one side between the valves 1 and I2. A valve I1 is located in the branch I6. This 1 valve may be similar to the valves I or I2. The

valve I1 is mounted on a shaft I3 that is journalled in air-tight bearings in the walls of the branch I6 with one or moreof its ends extending beyond the outer, surfaces of .these walls. An arm I9 is connected to the shaft I3 and a link or other connection 2|] extends from the end of the arm I9 to one end of a lever 2| that is journalled on a fixed pivot 22. The other end of the lever 2I may be connected by a link or other connection 23 to-a lever 26 that is operated by the gas pedal or accelerator of an automobile.

. The end of the link 20 is connected to the end of the lever 2'I so that the valve I1 will be closed by a very small movement of the accelerator 25 or gas pedal, but the accelerator or gas pedal can be moved farther after the valve I! is closed. Various devices may be used for this purpose and this feature will .not be described in detail except to say that it may consist of a. slotted cylinder 26 through the slot of which a pin 21 on the end of the lever 2| extends. Compression springs 28 and 29 are provided in the cylinder 26 on opposite sides of the pin 21 to permit the required amount of play between these two members 20 and 2| after the valve I 1 has been closed.

When the engine starts the valves I and I2 are closed and initial movement of the accelerator or gas pedal closes the .valve II. The valve I2 moves when the engine has reached the predetermined speed that is set for opening this valve. If the brake is applied to stop the automobile the valve I opens, thus breaking the vacuum In the intake manifold 2. Also, when the gas'pedal '30 is adjustably attached to the end of the shaft I3 and is insulated therefrom. This arm 36 is provided with a wiping contact 3| at its outer or free end. A similararm 32 is adjustably attached to the extending end of the shaft I3 and is insulated from this shaft. It is provided with a wiping contact 33 at its outer or free end.

The arms 30 and 32 are provided with binding posts 34 and 34, respectively, that-are electrically connected to the arms 36 and 32 respec- 0 tively. Branches 35 and 36 of a wire 31 from the primary coil are connected to the binding posts 34 and 34'.

An L-shaped bar 33 is secured on the outside of the inlet 6 and is insulated therefrom as indicated at 39 (Fig. 3). This metal bar 33 is located between the arms 30 and 32 in such a position that they are contacted by the contacts 3| and 33 when the valves I2 and II are closed.

A binding post 46 is connected to the. bar 36 v and a lead wire 4| leads from this binding post to the distributor (not shown) of the.;engine. The ignitioncircuit is broken when both; of the valves I2 and II are open.

With the device shown in Fig, 3 the valves I,

' I2 and n operate as already described. but the 'an inlet 5 without a branch outlet.

ignition circuit is opened as soon as both of the valves I2 and I1 open, regardless of the position of the valve 1 so that the ignition is shut off as soon as the gas pedal isreleased, provided the engine is running above the predetermined speed which opens the valve I2.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4 an extension 46 is provided on the end of the shaft 8 outside of the inlet 5 having a wiping contact 46 at its outer end. A wire 41 from the ignition switch (not shown) ls'conneeted by means of the binding post 48 to the extension 45. A metal bar 43 with ,In' this modification the ignition circuit is opened either when the brake is applied to open the valve I or when the valves I2 and II are opened so that the vacuum in the intake manifold is automatically broken and the ignition circuit is automatically opened when desired. 9

This device may be utilized for preventing the driver of a vehicle from exceeding a predetermined speed limit.

When the device is, to be used for this purpose the valves I and II are disconnected from their operating mechanisms and are left open at all times, and the governor of the engine is, adiusted so that the valve I2 will not open until the maximum speed limit'is reached. [when this speed is reached the valve I2 will open, thus permitting air to enter the inlet manifold and break the vacuum, with the result that fuel will cease entering'the engine.

' A mercury switch or other type of switch may be connected to the valve I2 and located in the ignition circuit so that it will open and break the ignition circuit when the valve I2 is openedat high speeds.

Instead of using a governor or instrument on the engine for opening the valve I2, the extending end of the shaft I3 of this valve may have an arm I3 attached thereto carrying a plate or wide surface" I3, as shown In Figs. 6, and 7 against which air from the fan of the engine or an air current caused by the speed of the vehicle strikes for the purpose of opening this valve whenthe engine reachs a predetermind speed.

In the modification shown'in Fig. 5 the three valves I, I2, and II are connected in series in With this arrangement air is prevented from enterlngthe inlet manifold and breaking the vacuum as soon as the brake is applied, since application of the brake closes the valve I. Theresult isthat the engine aids in braking the car so long as the clutch is in engaging position.

In this Fig. 5 provision is also shown for breaking the ignition circuit when the, engine is at sumciently high speed to open the valve I2 and the fuel supply is shut off, thus opening the valve II. The ignition circuit may be opened by switches in this circuit which are controlled by the valves I2 and I1 or'the mechanism that operates them. For example, in the illustrated embodiment mercury switches 66 and 6| may be carried by the extending ends of the shafts I3 and the branches pass In parallel through the closed and it is open when both of these valves are open, thus eliminating danger of back-fire of the engine.

Mercury or other sorts of electric switches may be connected in any convenient way to any of the valves shown in each of the embodiments of this invention so as to be opened and closed at the desired times by operation of these valves.

I claim:

1. In an automobile, an internal combustion engine, an air inlet for the intake manifold of said engine having two branches, and two separately operated means to keep said branches closed while said engine is running under power and to open one of said branches by shuttin oil the power from said engine.

2. In an internal combustion engine, an air inlet for the intake manifold having two branches, means to open one of said branches and said inlet when fuel is cut off at high speed of said engine.

3. In an internal combustion engine, an air inlet for the intake manifold, having two inlet ways open to the atmosphere and means to open one of said inlet ways by applying a brake and 30 the other of said inlet ways by manipulating a fuel feeding means.

4. In an internal combustion engine, an air inlet for the intake manifold of said engine sufficient to break the vacuum in said manifold when said inlet is open, said inlet having two inlet ways freely open to the atmosphere, and a valve located in each one of said inlet ways.

5. In an automobile an internal combustion engine, a two-way air inlet for the intake mani- 40 fold of said engine, and three valves in said inlet, one of which is opened when said engine reaches a certain speed, another is open until fuel is fed to said engine and the third is opened when a brake is applied for slowing down said automobile. I

6. In an internal combustion engine, a twoway air inlet for the intake manifold, and three valves in said inlet, and means connected to said valves for opening the ignition circuit of said engine.-

'7. In'an automobile an internal combustion engine, a brake pedal, a two-way air inlet for the intake manifold, three valves in said inlet, and means connected to one of said valves for opening the ignition circuit of said engine when said brake pedal is applied.

8. In an internal combustion engine, an inlet ,for the intake manifold, a valve and means aswhen the' brake is applied to slow down said engine.

10. In a vehicle having a brake and an internal combustion engine, an inlet for the intake mani- -fold of said engine, and means to close said inlet by the application of said brake when said engine is operating under power above a predetermined speed, and means to close said inlet by opening the throttle of said engine.

11. In an internal combustion engine, an air inlet for the intake manifold of said engine, and means operated by high speed of said engine and retarded position of the throttle valve of said engine for opening said inlet.

12. In an internal combustion engine, an air inlet for the intake manifold of said engine, and means, operated when said engine is running at' a speed above a predetermined minimum and the throttle valve of said engine is closed below a predetermined minimum closing position, for opening said inlet.

I MAX DACH. 

